Foreword
I was very pleased, as someone with learning disabilities, to be asked to co-chair this working group.
The Day Services Sub Group was set up to look at how day services in Scotland are putting the recommendations of The same as you? ( SAY) into practice.
We did this by putting out questionnaires to each local authority, to service users and carers. We analysed the information we got back, picking out the key themes which you will read more about in this report.
Having been a member of other SAY working groups, I have to say that this one, on day services, has been more complex than some.
Historically there has been little overall agreement about what day services are actually for and what they are supposed to achieve. Some people with learning disabilities I know feel that day centres have been, at least partly, places to go through the day just to pass the time so our parents and family carers get a break and know that we are 'safe'.
I went to day centre for 8-9 years and for most of that time it was mostly the same routine week after week and at times I felt that I wasn't listened to. I didn't realise it could be any different until I got involved with People First (Scotland) and then got the offer of a part-time job with proper wages in a college where I taught self-advocacy to young students with learning disabilities who were in the same position as I was when I attended a day centre.
I am really pleased to see that day services are now changing for a greater number of people with learning disabilities across Scotland. Key themes are emerging. Service users are being listened to more than in the past. People are becoming more involved in their local communities. Services are becoming more flexible. More people with learning disabilities are getting jobs and more people are getting the opportunity to go to college.
However, some people who are going to college still feel that they are not getting the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge they need to get jobs. Services need to make sure that they continue to listen to what people with learning disabilities really want and need so they can take their places in their communities where they rightfully belong.
It is clear that there has been a major positive shift in some places and we look forward to seeing other areas build on these positive examples. Let us keep up the good work.
Finally I would just like to thank everybody for their contributions to this piece of work which wouldn't have been possible without the co-operation of the local authorities, the independent sector, users and carers and the hard work of my Sub Group colleagues.
Steven Robertson, People First (Scotland)